NOTE 1 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation and Description of Business

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc., and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, JBSS Real Estate, LLC, JBSS Ventures, LLC and Sanfilippo (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd. Our fiscal year ends on the last Thursday of June each year, and typically consists of fifty-two weeks (four thirteen week quarters). Fiscal 2016 will consist of fifty-three weeks. The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related footnotes are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

We are one of the leading processors and distributors of peanuts, pecans, cashews, walnuts, almonds and other nuts in the United States. These nuts are sold under a variety of private brands and under the Fisher, Orchard Valley Harvest, Fisher Nut Exactly and Sunshine Country brand names. We also market and distribute, and in most cases manufacture or process, a diverse product line of food and snack products, including peanut butter, almond butter, candy and confections, snacks and trail mixes, snack bites, sunflower kernels, dried fruit, corn snacks, sesame sticks and other sesame snack products under private brands and brand names. Our products are sold through the major distribution channels to significant buyers of nuts, including food retailers, commercial ingredient users, contract packaging customers and international customers.

Management Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include reserves for customer deductions, the quantity of bulk inventories, the evaluation of recoverability of long-lived assets, the assumptions used in estimating the retirement plan liability and pension expense, and the realizability of deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider temporary cash investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are stated at the amounts charged to customers, less allowances for doubtful accounts, and reserves for estimated cash discounts and customer deductions. The allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated by specifically identifying customers that are credit risks and estimating the extent that other non-specifically identified customers will become credit risks. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when we conclude that it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. The reserve for estimated cash discounts is based on historical experience. The reserve for customer deductions represents known customer short payments and an estimate of future credit memos that will be issued to customers related to rebates and allowances for marketing and promotions based on agreed upon programs and historical experience.

Inventories

Inventories, which consist principally of inshell bulk-stored nuts, shelled nuts, dried fruit and processed and packaged nut products, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market which approximates actual cost. Inventory costs are reviewed at least quarterly. Fluctuations in the market price of pecans, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, cashews and other nuts may affect the value of inventory, gross profit and gross profit margin. When expected market sales prices move below costs, we record adjustments to write down the carrying values of inventories to the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. The results of our shelling process can also result in changes to inventory costs, such as adjustments made pursuant to actual versus expected crop yields. We maintain significant inventories of bulk-stored inshell pecans, peanuts and walnuts. Quantities of inshell bulk-stored nuts are determined based on our inventory systems and are subject to quarterly physical verification techniques including observation, weighing and other methods. The quantities of each crop year bulk-stored nut inventories are generally shelled out over a ten to fifteen month period, at which time revisions to any estimates are also recorded.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Major improvements that extend the useful life, add capacity or add functionality are capitalized and charged to expense through depreciation. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. The cost and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or retired are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is recognized currently in operating income.

Depreciation expense for the last three fiscal years is as follows:


	Year Ended June 25, 2015		Year Ended June 26, 2014		Year Ended June 27, 2013
Depreciation expense	$	14,117	$	13,649	$	13,648

Cost is depreciated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:


Classification	Estimated Useful Lives
Buildings		10 to 40 years
Machinery and equipment		5 to 10 years
Furniture and leasehold improvements		5 to 10 years
Vehicles		3 to 5 years
Computers and software		3 to 5 years

No interest costs were capitalized for the last three fiscal years due to the lack of any significant project requiring such capitalization.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review held and used long-lived assets, including our rental investment property and amortizable identifiable intangible assets, to assess recoverability from projected undiscounted cash flows whenever events or changes in facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. When such events occur, we compare the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group to the carrying amount of the long lived asset or asset group. The cash flows are based on our best estimate of future cash flows derived from the most recent business projections. If this comparison indicates there is an impairment, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value.

We did not record any impairment of long-lived assets for the last three fiscal years.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs are incurred to obtain long-term financing and are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt. The amortization of deferred financing costs, which is classified in interest expense in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, was as follows for the last three fiscal years:


	Year ended June 25, 2015		Year ended June 26, 2014		Year ended June 27, 2013
Amortization of deferred financing costs	$	227	$	329	$	442

Facility Consolidation Project/Real Estate Transactions

In April 2005, we acquired property to be used for the Elgin Site. Two buildings are located on the Elgin Site, one of which is an office building. Approximately 71% of the office building is currently vacant. The other building, a warehouse, was expanded and modified for use as our principal processing facility and headquarters. The allocation of the purchase price to the two buildings was determined through a third party appraisal. The value assigned to the office building is included in rental investment property on the balance sheet. The value assigned to the warehouse building is included in “Property, plant and equipment”.

The net rental expense from the office building is included in the caption “Rental and miscellaneous expense, net”. Gross rental income and rental (expense), net for the last three fiscal years are as follows:


	Year ended June 25, 2015			Year ended June 26, 2014			Year ended June 27, 2013
Gross rental income	$	1,792		$	1,697		$	1,671
Rental (expense), net		(3,062	)		(2,798	)		(1,495	)

Expected future gross rental income under operating leases within the office building is as follows for the fiscal years ending:


June 30, 2016	$	1,898
June 29, 2017		1,913
June 28, 2018		1,583
June 27, 2019		1,470
June 25, 2020		1,389
Thereafter		5,816

	$	14,069

On March 28, 2006, our wholly-owned subsidiary JBSS Properties, LLC acquired title by quitclaim deed to the site that was originally purchased in Elgin, Illinois (the “Old Elgin Site”) for our facility consolidation project and also entered into an Assignment and Assumption Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the City of Elgin (the “City”). In the third quarter of fiscal 2013, JBSS Properties, LLC transferred all of its properties and agreements to JBSS Real Estate, LLC. Under the terms of the Agreement, the City assigned to us their remaining rights and obligations under a development agreement entered into by and among the Company, certain related party partnerships and the City (the “Development Agreement”).

On December 26, 2013 (the second quarter of fiscal 2014), we completed the sale of the Old Elgin Site. The sales price was $8,000 and resulted in a pre-tax gain of $1,641.

In September 2012, we completed the sale of land and a building where we owned and operated a retail store in Barrington, Illinois. Proceeds from the sale were $870, net of expenses of $45, and resulted in a pre-tax gain of $660 which is recorded in “Administrative expenses” for the year ended June 27, 2013.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Authoritative guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels:


Level 1 —		Quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 2 —		Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets. For example, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets.

Level 3 —		Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data available.

The carrying values of cash, trade accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values at June 25, 2015 and June 26, 2014 because of the short-term maturities and nature of these balances.

The carrying value of our Credit Facility (as defined in Note 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements “Revolving Credit Facility” below) borrowings approximates fair value at June 25, 2015 and June 26, 2014 because interest rates on this instrument approximate current market rates (Level 2 criteria), the short term maturity and nature of this balance. In addition, there has been no significant change in our inherent credit risk.

The following table summarizes the carrying value and fair value estimate of our long term debt, including current maturities:


	June 25, 2015		June 26, 2014
Carrying value of long-term debt:	$	35,666	$	39,015
Fair value of long-term debt:		39,377		43,091

The estimated fair value of long-term debt was determined using a market approach based upon Level 2 observable inputs, which estimates fair value based on interest rates currently offered on loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality or broker quotes. In addition, there have been no significant changes in the underlying assets securing our long-term debt, other than the sale of the Old Elgin Site discussed above.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title has transferred (based upon terms of shipment), price is fixed, delivery occurs and collection is reasonably assured. We sell our products under some arrangements which include customer contracts which fix the sales price for periods, typically of up to one year, for some industrial customers and through specific programs consisting of promotion allowances, volume and customer rebates and marketing allowances, among others, to consumer customers and commercial ingredient users. Reserves for these programs are established based upon the terms of specific arrangements. Revenues are recorded net of rebates and promotion and marketing allowances. Revenues are also recorded net of expected customer deductions which are provided for based upon past experiences. While customers do have the right to return products, past experience has demonstrated that product returns have been insignificant. Provisions for returns are reflected as a reduction in net sales and are estimated based upon customer specific circumstances. Billings for shipping and handling costs are included in revenues.

Segment Reporting

We operate in a single reportable and operating segment that consists of selling various nut and nut related products through multiple distribution channels.

Significant Customers and Concentration of Credit Risk

The highly competitive nature of our business provides an environment for the loss of customers and the opportunity to gain new customers. We are subject to concentrations of credit risk, primarily in trade accounts receivable, and we attempt to mitigate this risk through our credit evaluation process, collection terms and through geographical dispersion of sales. Sales to two customers each exceeded 10% of net sales during fiscal 2015. In fiscal 2014 and 2013, three customers each exceeded 10% of net sales. Sales to these customers represented approximately 39%, 46% and 48% of our net sales in fiscal 2015, fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively. Net accounts receivable from these customers were 33% and 55% of net accounts receivable at June 25, 2015 and June 26, 2014, respectively.

Promotion, Marketing and Advertising Costs

Promotion allowances, customer rebates and marketing allowances are recorded at the time revenue is recognized and are reflected as reductions in sales. Annual volume rebates are estimated based upon projected volumes for the year, while promotion and marketing allowances are recorded based upon terms of the actual arrangements. Coupon incentive costs are accrued based on an estimate of redemptions to occur.

The majority of marketing costs and substantially all advertising costs are incurred to promote and support branded products in the consumer distribution channel. These costs are generally expensed as incurred, recorded in selling expenses, and were as follows for the last three fiscal years:


	Year ended June 25, 2015		Year ended June 26, 2014		Year ended June 27, 2013
Marketing and advertising expense	$	11,069	$	10,330	$	10,928

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs, which include freight and other expenses to prepare finished goods for shipment, are included in selling expenses. Shipping and handling costs for the last three fiscal years were as follows:


	Year ended June 25, 2015		Year ended June 26, 2014		Year ended June 27, 2013
Shipping and handling costs	$	17,699	$	17,895	$	15,801

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expense represents the cost of our research and development personnel and their related expenses and is charged to selling expenses as incurred. Research and development expenses for the last three fiscal years were as follows:


	Year ended June 25, 2015		Year ended June 26, 2014		Year ended June 27, 2013
Research and development expense	$	979	$	882	$	1,233

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based employee compensation arrangements in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 by calculating compensation cost based on the grant date fair value. We then amortize compensation expense over the vesting period. We estimate the fair value of each stock option on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model (using the risk-free interest rate, expected term, expected volatility, and dividend yield variables) discounted by an estimated forfeiture rate. The grant date fair value of RSUs is generally determined based on the market price of our Common Stock on the date of grant.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reported in our financial statements or tax returns. Such items give rise to differences in the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amount of deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the asset will not be realized. Any investment tax credits are accounted for by using the flow-through method, whereby the credits are reflected as reductions of tax expense in the year they are recognized in the financial statements. In estimating future tax consequences, we consider all expected future events other than changes in tax law or rates.

We record liabilities for uncertain income tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is recognition, where we evaluate whether an individual tax position has a likelihood of greater than 50% of being sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. For tax positions that are currently estimated to have a less than 50% likelihood of being sustained, no tax benefit is recorded. For tax positions that have met the recognition threshold in the first step, we perform the second step of measuring the benefit to be recorded. The actual benefits ultimately realized may differ from our estimates. In future periods, changes in facts, circumstances, and new information may require us to change the recognition and measurement estimates with regard to individual tax positions. Changes in recognition and measurement estimates are recorded in results of operations and financial position in the period in which such changes occur.

We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax expense/(benefit) caption in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

We evaluate the realization of deferred tax assets by considering our historical taxable income and future taxable income based upon the reversal of deferred tax liabilities. As of June 25, 2015, we believe that our deferred tax assets are fully realizable, except for $175 of net basis differences for which we have provided a valuation allowance.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per common share are calculated using the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock and Class A Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue Common Stock were exercised or converted into Common Stock or resulted in the issuance of Common Stock.

The following table presents the reconciliation of the weighted average shares outstanding used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share:


	Year ended June 25, 2015		Year ended June 26, 2014		Year ended June 27, 2013
Weighted average number of shares outstanding — basic		11,150,658		11,033,310		10,863,064
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units		97,601		99,037		129,933

Weighted average number of shares outstanding — diluted		11,248,259		11,132,347		10,992,997

The following table presents a summary of anti-dilutive stock options and restricted stock units excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share:


	Year ended June 25, 2015		Year ended June 26, 2014		Year ended June 27, 2013
Weighted average number of anti-dilutive shares:		—		15,153		41,375
Weighted average exercise price:	$	—	$	25.36	$	18.46

Comprehensive Income

We account for comprehensive income in accordance with ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. This topic establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general-purpose financial statements. The topic requires that all components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. This topic also requires all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance also requires presentation by the respective line items of net income, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes and information about significant amounts required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income in their entirety. For amounts not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, we provide a cross-reference to other disclosures that offer additional details about those amounts.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11 “Inventory (Topic 330) Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory”. This update applies to inventory measured using first-in, first-out or average cost and requires inventory be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This update will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2018 with prospective application required. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance, but does not anticipate it will have a material impact to its consolidated balance sheets.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03 “Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”. This update requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this update. This new guidance does not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issue costs related to line of credit arrangements. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 “Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements” which amends Subtopic 835-30 and indicates the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. ASU 2015-03 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. This update will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance, but does not anticipate it will have a material impact to its consolidated balance sheets.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01 “Income Statement — Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items”. This update eliminates the concept of extraordinary items from GAAP. Currently, if an event or transaction is both unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence an entity is required to segregate the extraordinary item from the results of ordinary operations and show the item separately in the income statement, net of tax, after continuing operations. Applicable income taxes and earnings per share data is also required to be disclosed. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. This update will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2017. This update can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this update to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15 “Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern (Topic 205-40)”. The guidance requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The new guidance applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance in fiscal 2017 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” and created a new ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and added ASC Subtopic 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs — Contracts with Customers. The guidance in this update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the codification. Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Deferral of the Effective Date” which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for one year. Consequently, this new revenue recognition guidance will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2019. This guidance can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or retrospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment recognized as of the date of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this new guidance on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.